The Twin Cities will be a hotbed for high-level sports from the Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in March to the International Ice Hockey Federation World’s Junior’s championship in 2026.

The events are expected to bring thousands of tourists and an economic boost to the cities’ local businesses. The Big Ten announced on Friday the Minneapolis-hosted Big Ten women’s basketball tournament will be sold out for the first time in its history.

From now until the World Junior’s championship, Minneapolis will host the Team USA Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials at the Target Center in June while St. Paul hosts the NCAA Frozen Four at the Xcel Energy Center in April.

The city worked hard towards hosting the Big Ten basketball tournaments and the U.S. Gymnastics events for multiple years, according to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Frey said hosting these national, televised sporting events is a “gigantic win” for the city, which will cultivate a positive image for Minneapolis.

“[With] the pan in and out shot of our beautiful skyline before and after commercials, people see what a beautiful city we have and that helps our brand and reputation,” Frey said. “It helps people want to come to Minneapolis more and come and visit.”

Sports are coming to town

The Gophers men’s and women’s basketball teams will skip the plane when it comes time for the tournament.

Gophers women’s basketball head coach Dawn Plitzuweit said the tournament in Minneapolis will only help build support for her team.

“As the community grows to support women’s basketball, well guess what we play,” Plitzuweit said. “[The tournament] helps us in building our foundation.”

Submitting a proposal to host a tournament is no small task. Assistant General Manager for Target Center Amy Rahja said she and her team submitted a pitch to the Big Ten advocating for why the conference should choose the Target Center.

“It’s a pretty big packet of information,” Rahja said. “[The submission] usually happens a few years in advance, so it gives you some planning time.”

The Big Ten men’s basketball tournament happens a week after the women’s tournament. Head coach for Gophers men’s basketball Ben Johnson said he has not thought about the tournament yet.

“We want to make that a good thing because we keep playing good basketball,” Johnson said.

Target Center and Xcel Center

For Target Center staff it is not unusual to host major sporting events. In the past, the facility hosted both the NCAA men’s and women’s Final Four.

Part of what makes Target Center a prime location is its internal operations when executing an event. Rahja said the planning ahead helps ensure a smooth process of moving athletes from their hotel to the arena.

Brigid Tuck, a senior economic impact analyst for the University of Minnesota Extension, said the number of high-level talent packed into one area for the next few years boosts the moods of city residents in what is called the “halo effect.”

“The people coming into your communities and coming into places they may never have come before can expose them to the positive aspects of your community,” Tuck said. 

The sporting events not only provide a boost to the city’s image but a boost to the local economy as well, according to Frey.

Spending beyond the arenas

Given the touristic nature of athletic events, Frey said they will attract not only athletes themselves but their families, friends and fans, too, ensuring days-long stays of exploring — and spending — in the city. 

“They’re gonna be around not just to watch the event, but to go out and have a drink, to get some food, to do some shopping, and they’re making a whole week out of it,” Frey said. “The economic impact is extraordinary.”

On an average night, a visitor to Minnesota typically spends between $140 and $150 per person, according to Tuck.

Tuck said there will be a “higher economic impact” from visitors in town for the sporting events given their frequent use of hotels and restaurants.

“You look at some of these events that are going to draw thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people into Minneapolis and St. Paul,” Tuck said.

The restaurants neighboring Target Center and Xcel Energy Center have made large sporting events the bread and butter of their business.

Greg Awada, the co-owner of Zamboni’s on 7th Restaurant and Bar in St. Paul has spent 13 years on a block shared with the Xcel Energy Center. Awada said Zamboni’s is always ready to handle and appreciate the sports-heavy time of year.

“This time of year is when we go from red to black,” Awada said. “I’ve been on this block for 13 years and March is everything for us and it’s jam-packed. It’s draining, but once again, this is the month that makes us good.”

President and CEO of Minneapolis Downtown Council Adam Duininck said the increased economic activity of businesses “helps to drive safety.” Duininck, also a board member of the Downtown Improvement District, added the city took steps to ensure public safety on systems like the light rail, providing “a good fan experience.”

Duininck added part of the city’s goal is to promote local vendors, businesses and entrepreneurs so visitors get a feel for everything Minneapolis has to offer.

“We don’t want people just to come into town and go to a game and go home, we want them to come stay in a hotel or shop at a retail outlet or explore downtown,” Duininck said.

Expecting a boost in sports, tourism and economic activity, Frey said hosting the high-level sporting events is a chance to showcase the quality and excellence of the city.

“This is one more example that will show the rest of the country that Minneapolis is a place where you go for both entertainment for a large-scale event and you know that we’re going to do it well,” Frey said.

The University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) is investigating an incident of shots fired near Sanford Residence Hall and FloCo apartments Saturday night. 

A SAFE-U alert, issued around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, alerted the University community to the incident near 1122 University Ave SE. Two males in dark clothing were seen running from the area, the alert said. 

After receiving reports of shots fired, UMPD personnel were on the scene very quickly, UMPD spokesperson Jake Ricker said in an email. 

There were no victims present and none have come forward, according to Ricker. Based on Saturday night’s investigation and follow-up at the scene since, there are no known injuries or property damage as a result of the incident.

Ricker said anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact (612) 624-COPS.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Eight former Gophers will return to the University of Minnesota campus on Feb. 27 when PWHL Minnesota hosts PWHL Toronto at 3M Arena at Mariucci. 

Lauren Bench, Abigail Boreen, Taylor Heise, Amanda Leveille, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein and Grace Zumwinkle represent PWHL Minnesota and were all members of the Gophers. Olivia Knowles is the lone former Gopher on PWHL Toronto. 

Pannek, the Gophers’ captain during the 2018-19 season, said she enjoyed reconnecting with her Gopher teammates on PWHL Minnesota. Pannek played with every former Gopher on PWHL Minnesota except for Bench. 

2019 was Pannek’s final season with the Gophers and Heise and Boreen’s first year. Heise, Boreen and Zumwinkle did not play with Leveille and Stecklein at the University as their final years were 2016 and 2017.

“I feel like I’m in that unique age group where I’ve played with a lot of those players on both sides of it,” Pannek said.

Current Gophers forward Abbey Murphy said she and other players in her generation are inspired by the players currently playing in the PWHL’s inaugural season.

“My time has not come yet to go there but it will eventually,” Murphy said. “It’s crazy where they’ve gotten with it.”

Gopher captain Peyton Hemp said before the PWHL players coming into college only had college hockey and the Olympics as options.

“It’s just really awesome that the next group of girls can play as well and make a living off of it,” Hemp said. 

Junior defender Emily Zumwinkle, Grace’s younger sister, said she’s enjoyed watching Grace succeed in PWHL. Grace is fifth in the PWHL in points with nine points in 12 games.

“It’s been really fun to watch her and I hope I get to play with her again,” Emily said.

PWHL Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz was an assistant coach for the Gophers last season and was a player from 2002 to 2005. She said before a stable professional women’s hockey option, playing in college was her version of playing in the NHL.

“When I was done with college, it was like ‘Now what?’” Darwitz said. 

Darwitz said the PWHL has drastically changed the trajectory of players. She said many players’ careers ended at 25 or 26 years old. 

“There was just no opportunity,” Darwitz said. “If you wanted to continue, there was a lot of sacrifice and a lot of dollars spent to do that.”

Pannek and Darwitz said the PWHL provides players like Murphy, Hemp and junior forward Ella Huber with options to continue their hockey careers.

Pannek added her first two years with the Gophers were special because of how well the team connected and held each other accountable. She said the team was able to balance their lives as hockey players with existing outside of the rink. 

“I think that was instilled in us as Gophers that we’ve all taken with us,” Pannek said.

Darwitz said the PWHL game at 3M Arena was initially supposed to be at Ridder Arena but was moved because of PWHL Minnesota’s ticket sale success.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Darwitz said. 

Pannek said playing at 3M Arena will bring back a lot of memories because she attended Gopher men’s and women’s hockey games growing up.

“To be able to come back and bring two worlds together will be really special,” Pannek said.

Darwitz said young girls are looking up to and aspiring to be like professional players such as Heise, the first overall pick in the PWHL. She added it was a “no-brainer” to draft Heise with the first overall pick in the PWHL draft and her background and values aligned with the culture she wanted to build.

“Not only does your franchise need a face but your sport needs a face,” Darwitz said. “And right now, that’s Taylor Heise. I think she’s the brightest up-and-coming star.”

Having the face of a sport is important to draw young fans to their market, according to Darwitz.

“That’s how you grow the game,” Darwitz said. “That’s how you grow the sport.”

MGMT’s new LP “Loss of Life,” released on Friday, comes six years after the critically acclaimed album “Little Dark Age.” 

“Loss of Life,” however, feels meandering and empty – feeling largely misguided in contrast with its predecessor due to an over-reliance on the acoustic guitar. “Little Dark Age” was one of those albums that seemingly everyone, regardless of music taste, loved – it was an electro-pop crossover success.

Acoustic guitar can be heard loud and clear on just about every track on the album. Acoustic guitars are not the defining musical element that people love about MGMT, it is electronic production. The strongest moments on “Loss of Life” are when the band sticks to electronic production. At those points the band sounds the most inspired.

The album kicks off with the song “Mother Nature,” an unremarkable cheesy indie ballad that truly just belongs in the 2010s. It is not a terrible song, but it starts the album off on the wrong foot.

Third in the track list is “Dancing in Babylon” featuring Christine and the Queens. “Dancing in Babylon” starts off pretty boring before it progresses into a chorus that sounds like it could have been ripped from a corny 1980s piano ballad. 

However, the track redeems itself three minutes in, with a beat switch that transforms the track from boring and sentimental into energetic and engaging. However, the redemption towards the end of the song is not enough to justify the uninteresting first few minutes of it.

The ambience of “People in the Streets” is a highlight from the record, accented by atmospheric wind instruments and a simple bass line. It is one of the drearier tracks on the album, but the experimentation MGMT does with the production keeps it from feeling totally lifeless.

“Bubblegum Dog” is the strongest song on the album, and one of the only examples on “Loss of Life” where the band used the acoustic guitar in an engaging way. As a whole, it is a well-written track that is especially suited for blasting from your car while driving at night. The emphasis on electric guitars over acoustic guitars was a good decision, adding some energy to the song that much of the album lacks. If the whole album sounded like this, it would be better for it.

Roughly halfway through the album comes the tracks “Nothing To Declare” and “Nothing Changes,” two milquetoast tracks that suffer from the same thing the weaker tracks on the album do — too much acoustic guitar.

“Phradie’s Song,” towards the end of the tracklist starts out as a boring acoustic guitar-driven track, but shifts towards the end of the song for one of the stronger moments on the album, decorated pops, cracks and glitches over a commanding synth arrangement.

The closing title track is solid, the electronic production feels refreshing in a sea of unnecessary acoustic guitars. The track has strong vocals, and a just as strong synth-based instrumental. However, halfway in the track, it feels like it goes off the rails into a direction that features brass instruments and strings, but it finds its footing quickly again as an energetic, glitchy drum track helps bring the album to a close.

“Loss of Life” is, at its worst, atmospheric without reason, and at its best, impressively lush. Unfortunately, the album’s high points are too few and far between its hollow and lackluster moments, making it a less-than-ideal album to justify a six-year wait.

The Metro Transit light rail is a significant cornerstone of our beloved University of Minnesota. Every time I see the light rail roll in, I think about what interesting characters I may encounter in the car destined to stop in front of me. Most students can agree that there is rarely a dull moment once you enter those sliding doors. 

For as long as I have been a student at the University, I have never turned down the opportunity to hear a crazy Metro Transit train story from a fellow student. Having been a part of or witness to the unusual antics that occur on the train is an experience you hardly ever get on any other type of public transportation. It is a right of passage for any University student. 

While the unique individuals on the train can make for an interesting ride, they can also make for a concerning one. 

Student safety is an important subject matter — especially when you recount all of the incidents that have taken place at the University. Still, the inappropriate activities that occur on the train are often ignored or downplayed — some chalking it up to something that should just be expected from public transportation. 

Melody Gochez, a second-year student at the University and a Minneapolis native, had been riding the train for years before enrolling at the University. However, Gochez feels unsafe at times when using the train, saying there are often people smoking, hitting things and not staying appropriately in their spot.

“People usually get into fights inside the train,” Gochez said. “I’ve also seen some guy get escorted out of the train by paramedics.” 

Witnessing this type of behavior is not rare for those who regularly ride the train, even so, it shouldn’t be something that is expected. Dealing with the inconvenience of uncomfortable situations shouldn’t be necessary for students trying to just get to class.

Gochez said the people who smoke usually congregate in the middle or end cars of the train. Because of this, Gochez and many other students choose to ride toward the front where the floors are clear of trash and the passengers are typically other students.

Shouldn’t students feel comfortable riding in any part of the train?

In May of 2023, the University entered into a contracted overtime agreement with the Metro Transit Police Department and began the Transit Service Intervention Project, according to Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III. Within this partnership, the University will pay UMPD officers overtime to patrol the light rail and display a uniform presence to students. 

“I feel safer,” Gochez said when asked about the police’s enhanced presence. “I see them a lot at night and I feel safe waiting because I know if something happens at least they’re there.” 

Though some students have felt the presence of the campus officers and the persistent effort for change, others are indifferent toward it.

Emma Bryant, a first-year student at the University, said the train lives up to its minimal expectations, but she doesn’t mind it. 

“It’s dirty, smelly and kinda scary,” Bryant said. “I take it every day to West Bank, but that’s like two minutes on the train.”

Most students are aware of the uncleanliness of the train and the rowdiness of some of the passengers, but because of their limited time on the train, students often disregard those concerns. 

Morales said it is important for students to report these incidents so they can be stopped. By simply texting a photo of the issue or explaining your concern to 612-900-0411 you will not only receive a response but also will assist the Metro Transit Police Department in allocating resources to regulate the specific issue at hand. 

“I don’t want anyone putting themselves in a dangerous position,” Morales said. “I just want people to call out behaviors that you don’t want to see. If we don’t speak up for what we want in society, we will not normalize what is acceptable behavior.”

Riding the light rail shouldn’t be something that is dreaded, and inappropriate behaviors shouldn’t be something that is normalized. For students who aren’t used to the complexities of the Twin Cities concrete jungle, approaching the train shouldn’t be a daunting thing. 

“As community members, it is incumbent upon us to stick within our community and to say wrong is wrong,” Morales said.

University of Minnesota faculty at the School of Dentistry use motivational interviewing to create better dental habits and debunk popular dental trends. 

In dentistry, many new approaches such as motivational interviewing and dental hygiene coaching were implemented as tools to better serve patient care. Current trends, such as teeth whitening, tooth gems and oil pulling, might not provide the long-term benefits people seek.

Michelle Arnett, an assistant professor in the University’s School of Dentistry, researches the benefits of motivational interviewing in oral healthcare settings.

Motivational interviewing is a patented, centered, collaborative counseling approach, Arnett said. The conversation between dental hygienists and patients discusses routine brushing and flossing but also includes how mental health and lifestyle behaviors contribute to dental hygiene.

Arnett conducted a clinical trial comparing brief motivational interviewing to traditional oral care instructions, which was featured in the Journal of Dental Hygiene’s special edition celebrating 100 years of dentistry.    

Mental health was talked about 48 more times using motivational interviewing over traditional oral hygiene instruction, which talked about mental health 26 times over the one-year clinical trial.

“A hygienist can stress and advocate to brush and floss all day, but if there are mental health issues, depression, or some underlying condition going on, you really need to discuss that,” Arnett said. 

Megan O’Connell, a dental hygiene coach at Dental Consulting Company and alumnus of the University, goes to dental offices to observe the hygienists who work there. Based on their patient care approach, O’Connell coaches hygienists on services that  make their patients healthier.

“It’s kind of your responsibility as a dental health professional to keep up to date on current techniques, technologies, and sometimes after you’ve been practicing for 20-25 years, you kind of just get into this process of just you know, I go to work I see patients and then I’m done,” O’Connell said. 

Dental hygiene coaching is important because it allows for training to get catered specifically to an office’s patient demographic, O’Connell added. Offices that have patients with lower socioeconomic statuses require a different level of care than west suburban with better access to healthcare. 

Hooi Pin Chew, an associate professor in the University’s School of Dentistry, said she wanted a career in medicine and found she preferred dentistry because it dealt with the quality of life instead of death. 

“We see the improvement in quality of life through patients with dentures, with better aesthetics, better smile, better function and better eating ability, ” Chew said. “These outcomes contribute significantly to their overall health and confidence.”

Oil pulling 

Oil pulling involves swishing around an oil product made from coconut, sesame or sunflower seeds, and spitting it out, Arnett said. The goal is to break up the bacteria in your mouth so it will become more alkaline-based and less acidic, preventing enamel erosion. 

There is no evidence that oil pulling has any benefits, but there is also no evidence that it is harmful, Arnett added. 

“A lot of my research is in patient behaviors and motivational interviewing and getting someone to pick up a toothbrush and brush for 30 seconds is challenging,” Arnett said. “To motivate someone to put an oil substance in their mouth to swish for up to 30 minutes a day, compliance is probably going to be very low.”

It is difficult to determine if oil pulling is contributing to good dental health or if it is just good genetics, O’Connell from Dental Consulting Company added. 

“I have personally had patients that have had a lot of success from pulling, but I can’t associate it with being the oil itself,” O’Connell said. 

Tooth gems 

If the tooth around the tooth gem is kept clean and the tooth does not have a cavity, there should not be any detrimental impacts, Chew said. 

The person putting on tooth gems is usually not a dental professional, it is someone with no experience in dentistry applying them, O’Connell said. The glue that the gems are adhered with can spread and connect teeth making it harder to floss, and it can go under the gums and cause dental infection. 

If the gem is not properly removed it can damage the health and appearance of a tooth, O’Connell said. 

“In terms of dental trends, tooth gems worry me the most in regards to the long-term harms that can be done,” O’Connell said. 

Whitening

Whitening has been heavily researched, and people should not use whitening products that do not contain FDA-approved materials, Chew said. 

Whitening kits can cause sensitivity for individuals when they stop using the product, Arnett said. If someone is using over-the-counter whitening strips and they get it on their gum tissue, it could cause a chemical burn. 

Before using a whitening product it is important for people to know if they are cavity and gum disease-free, Arnett said. 

The best option is to go to the dentist and get a professionally made whitening tray that works for the individual’s tooth structure, O’Connell said. 

“We see much of this misinformation during the first two years of COVID-19,” Chew said. “I think the communication about medical and dental science impacts the understanding and maintenance of health and wellness and there should be a more systematic or concerted way to effectively communicate evidence-based research.”

Researchers at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus were caught off guard by the unusual winter, causing them to adapt their outdoor research to accommodate the warmer conditions.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website, the Twin Cities broke its record for the longest January thaw at 24 consecutive days and saw the most 50-degree days recorded in early February. Researchers on the St. Paul campus did not anticipate such extreme weather, which created new opportunities for research but put ongoing research in jeopardy.

Donald Wyse, a professor in the University’s department of agronomy and plant genetics, runs the Forever Green Initiative, which is developing the next generation of crops for the state.

“We have all of these new crops out in the field that were planted in the fall and we get a winter that we haven’t experienced in over 100 years,” Wyse said. “It’s going to be interesting.”

The Forever Green Initiative is currently developing 15 different crops, including Kernza, the first perennial grain crop with a lifespan of more than two years commercially available in the United States. Perennial grain crops live for several years and do not need to be re-planted each season.

Wyse said the crops are currently surviving, but without the snow to cover the plants, they are directly exposed to potentially low temperatures. If it warms up too much, the plants may start to grow, which is dangerous if the temperature dips back down below freezing.

According to Wyse, the department of agronomy and plant genetics developed all of the major crops used in Minnesota, except for sugar beet. Currently, plant breeders within the department have been working with industries to develop crops that can keep up with climate change.

“This is what we’ve always done,” Wyse said. “The landscape is evolving as climate changes, and that drives evolution and all these other insects and diseases, and the crops have to be then bred to meet those conditions as they change.”

Alicia Coleman, an assistant professor of urban and community forestry in the University’s department of forest resources, said she has been engaging with partners in the department of horticultural science and the UMN Extension to see how different tree species that are expected to withstand climate change perform in Minnesota.

According to Coleman, the project is based on the UMN Extension ‘creating climate-ready woodlands’ list of recommended tree species based on Minnesota’s 11 ecological regions. 

Coleman said the idea behind the research is not new, but it is the first time it has been applied to Minnesota. The research focuses on forest patches but includes urban areas such as streets, residential yards and parks.

Coleman said in the future, Minnesota forests could resemble their counterparts in the Mid-Atlantic region or states, like Kansas and Missouri, as the climate continues to change.

Marcella Windmuller-Campione, an associate professor of silviculture (silvi) in the University’s department of forest resources, said research within the Silvi Lab Group began in February. Typically it begins in March or early April, when they’re able to observe leaves sprouting from trees. 

The University’s Silvi Lab Group is made up of researchers, faculty and students who study biometrics, forest health, forest soils and silviculture. According to Minnesota’s DNR, silviculture is the sustainable control of forests and woodlands, from establishment to composition and health.

“The trees are starting to hit those points where they’re going to have the amount of growing degree days or like the amount of warm days to start triggering, ‘oh, I think I should grow,’” Windmuller-Campione said.

Windmuller-Campione said the past two summer droughts combined with the lack of snow cover and warm temperatures could result in trees dying off.

“What we’re seeing is this warm winter and that cold snap may be that kind of last straw,” said Winmuller-Campione. “So that could be one of the last things that really opens them up to insects or diseases during the growing season.”

Afton Alps, a ski resort located next to Afton State Park, invites college students to join them for winter festivities by offering discounts for college students on Wednesday nights in February. 

The College Nights at Afton Alps offer lift passes for $39, half of the original price, and rentals on skis and snowboards for $5, all with the presentation of a college ID. The ski resort offers a picturesque landscape as a backdrop for the activities.

“We want to continue to grow the sport and make it more affordable for college-age guests to come and visit,” said Manager of Communications at Vail Resorts, the parent company to Afton Alps, Pamela Hoye. 

Night passes are available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., allowing students to have an adrenaline-filled study break after they are done with their classes for the day. Food specials are also offered to give skiers and snowboarders a chance to warm up and save a bit of money.

“Normally a visit to Afton Alps would cost me over a hundred dollars, which is a big reason why I don’t snowboard as often as I used to. Going tonight is a lot more doable and affordable for me,” said University of Wisconsin – River Falls student Haiden Adams.

While not every chairlift was running, every hill in the park was open to go down and explore. Terrain parks are also open with boxes, pipes, rails and jumps to allow for an even more exhilarating experience.

In addition to the excitement of skiing and snowboarding, these College Nights help students develop a sense of community and friendship. It is an opportunity to interact with peers who share a common interest in winter sports. 

Everyone is made to feel at home at Afton Alps regardless of experience. The friendly environment allows for students to help each other out on the slopes.

“It’s unbelievably nice out. I think it’s like 50 degrees and sunny. This feels like spring skiing but it’s February,” said Hamline University student Nick Bennigan.

Despite the warm weather, the hills of Afton Alps were covered in fake snow that was surprisingly good quality. While you may not find a heavy layer of powder, you will not need to bundle up to stay warm.

The next college night will be on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and the Afton team is hoping to offer more college discount nights in the future. No matter how tight a budget is, students can enjoy the excitement of skiing and snowboarding.

The University of Minnesota pitched to the Minnesota Legislature another request for an extra $45 million to its already $500 million capital request to minimize tuition increases and maintain old buildings on campus. 

The capital request is entirely devoted to Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) to allow the renewal of 150 buildings and address the backlog of facility needs, said Executive Vice President and Provost of the University Rachel Croson. 

The extra $45 million would be used to lower costs for students by minimizing tuition increases needed to address expected cost increases across the University, Croson said.

Campus conditions are declining, according to Vice President of University Services Alice Roberts-Davis. About 77% of buildings are in fair/below average or poor/critical condition.

Roberts-Davis said the University will implement HEAPR dollars and consolidate the spaces they have rather than build new spaces as the legislature suggested.

“We want to ensure that we are able to offer [students] the facilities that are competitive and that attract them to the University of Minnesota,” Roberts-Davis said. 

Shae Horning, state coordinator for the Undergraduate Student Government, said at the meeting that building repairs across the University are needed to support wheelchair users.

“Students who use wheelchairs, who have an injury and use crutches or have any other disability shouldn’t have to worry about accessing their class because of outdated infrastructure,” Horning said.

Sen. Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) said instead of spending millions on a new state office building, the legislature should spend that money on the University.

“Imagine the message that we would be sending to students and the people of Minnesota if we put them first,” Duckworth said. “And just took $500 million of the $750 million set aside for the new state office building and gave it directly to the University of Minnesota and allowed them to do what they need to do.”

The University increased tuition by 3.5% last year and is hoping the supplemental budget request will help lower the percentage, said Interim President Jeff Ettinger at the House Higher Education Committee meeting on Thursday.

“We are hopeful if we can get the $45 million grant, that we can hold the increase below that,” Ettinger said. “If we are at zero, we may well end up higher than that.”

Duckworth said the legislature and University have to work together to address funding needs to avoid raising student tuition while not chipping away at the state budget surplus.

“That is the bigger picture that we have to solve, and if we don’t do the work now we’re going to be dealing with the same issue next year and in five years and in ten years,” Duckworth said. “It’s gonna continue to become financially unattainable, which is only going to compound the enrollment issue that we have.” 

Spring 2024 has a wide lineup of movies to choose from. Whether you are looking for an action, comedy or drama, here are some films to see in movie theaters this season.

“Dune: Part Two” (March 1):

This sequel to the 2021 movie “Dune” is directed by Dennis Villeneuve and based on the sci-fi book series by Frank Herbert. Watch Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, navigate the political and cultural landscape of the fictional desert planet Arrakis in the distant future.

“I’m looking forward to Dune: Part Two and Drive Away Dolls. I was also kind of curious about Lisa Frankenstein, which is out already,” said University of Minnesota student CJ Julstrom.

“Problemista” (March 1)

Problemista is an imaginative tale about a toy inventor from El Salvador attempting to establish himself in New York City. He accepts a gig with an eccentric artist in order to extend his visa, which is set to expire soon. This comedy stars Tilda Swinton, Greta Lee and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA.

“Love Lies Bleeding” (March 8)

Directed by Rose Glass, this movie follows a relationship between Lou, a gym manager played by Kristen Stewart and bodybuilder Jackie (played by Katy O’Brian) set in the 1980s. Despite their dreams of running away to Las Vegas, Lou’s family has a criminal history that drags them both in.

“I saw this film at its Sundance premiere and audiences were floored,” programming director at the MSP Film Society Jesse Bishop said. “We love it because it goes all in on the twisty noirish story and doesn’t pull any punches along the way.”

“Monkey Man” (April 5)

“Slumdog Millionaire” star Dev Patel wrote, directed and acted in this movie about a member of a hidden fight ring who is set on a goal to avenge the death of his mother. Produced by Jordan Peele, this action thriller will have you rooting for Patel as his character “Kid.”

“Civil War” (April 12)

A24’s newest film follows a journalist covering a second United States Civil War, in which 19 states have seceded and their army is heading for Washington D.C. Written by Alex Garland, (28 Days Later, Ex Machina, Annihilation) this politically charged drama portrays what our country would look like if it fell to a dystopian dictatorship.

“Sasquatch Sunset” (April 12)

Sasquatch Sunset follows a year-in-the-life of the last sasquatches in North America. With no spoken lines except grunting and no faces seen except a costume of fur, this absurdist film is one of the weirder movies on this list. 

“The Fall Guy” (May 5)

Ryan Gosling stars in this action comedy as retired stunt-choreographer Colt Seavers. After one of his stunt-doubles goes missing, he goes on a mission to find him and save the production of the movie.

“IF” (May 17)

Written and directed by “The Office” star John Krasinski, IF follows young Bea who acquires the power to see imaginary friends that have been grown out of. This comedy has a star-studded cast of Ryan Reynolds, Krasinski, Matt Damon, Vince Vaughn, Maya Rudolph, Emily Blunt and Steve Carrell.

“May brings David Leitch’s “The Fall Guy” with Ryan Gosling as a stuntman and bounty-hunter with Emily Blunt. Also Ryan Reynolds and John Krasinski’s IF, about a girl whose imaginary friends get out of control. So get out there to the cinema, there are a lot of reasons to!” said University Cinema Studies professor Michelle Lekas.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (May 24)

A spin-off to the 2015 movie “Mad Max: Fury Road,” this movie follows Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) after being kidnapped by Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and having to navigate her way through the biker gangs of the Wasteland to escape

The upcoming slate of movies this spring promises to deliver a diverse range of experiences. Find a movie theater near you to watch these upcoming films.